Lesson 01: Historical Context Jeremiah Lesson 01: Historical Context

Time period The text of Jeremiah tells us that the word of the Lord came in the thirteenth year of Josiah and again from Jehoiakim’s reign to the eleventh year of Zedekiah Jeremiah prophesied through the reigns of Josiah, possibly Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah (626 B.C. to 586 B.C.)

Wickedness Israel and Judah were not sent into captivity because of evilness under one ruler While the work of Jeremiah began during the reign of Josiah, the reasons for God’s judgment(s) began much earlier For the sake of this study, we will refrain from going back further than Manasseh’s (Josiah’s grandfather) reign.

Manasseh Idolatry often ruled the hearts of the Israelites, from the king down to the common citizens. What is written about King Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33:2-9? What did God cause to happen to Manasseh? What did Manasseh then do? Manasseh’s redemption comes too late for his son, Amon

Amon Amon “did not humble himself before the Lord” Rather, he “trespassed more and more” (2 Chronicles 33:23) He was rebellious against the Lord, and was ironically assassinated because of rebellion His own servants conspired against him (33:24)

Josiah Josiah was only eight years old when he became king (2 Chronicles 34:1) He “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” and turned aside to neither the “right hand or to the left” (34:2) His search for God began in the eighth year of his reign, making him only sixteen years old

Josiah By the twelfth year of his reign (age twenty) he was purging Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry Why wait until age twenty? While Josiah became king at age eight and sought God at age sixteen, it is likely that he king only in name until he reached age twenty, which was the age of adulthood under the Law of Moses (reference Numbers 1:20-46)

Josiah Josiah was a very “hands-on” king and ensured that his orders were carried out In his presence, the altars of the Baals were broken down, the idols broken into pieces and ground to dust, and that dust was then scattered on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them

Josiah Josiah also burned the bones of the priests on their altars What are three possible ways of reading this? Josiah dug up the bones of past priests and burned them He executed the priests and burned them Or he did both!

Josiah 1 Kings 13:1-6 From the present tense words used in 13:2 (“who burn incense on you…”), it appears that the third option is one of the most likely Josiah’s “hands-on” nature speaks to the goodness of his heart Consider Matthew 12:33-37

Josiah What was found in the ruins of the house of God (2 Chronicles 34:8-28)? What was Josiah’s reaction when Shaphan read the Book of the Law of the Lord to him (34:18-21)? Josiah did not excuse the wickedness of Judah, but sought a way to be reconciled with God

Josiah What would happen to Judah because of their allegiance to idols (2 Chronicles 34:24-28)? What would happen to Josiah? Note that God said two things about Josiah First, that he had a tender heart Second, that Josiah humbled himself before God Remember that Manasseh had to be humbled by God and Amon would not be humbled

Josiah Josiah read the Book of the Covenant in the hearing of all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (34:30) Josiah made a covenant before the Lord to obey and keep His commandments (34:31) Josiah made all who were present take a stand (34:32) Were their hearts changed?

Josiah Pharaoh Necho (ruled Egypt 610-595 B.C.) went to war against Carchemish (a Hittite city on the Euphrates)

Josiah Necho captured Carchemish here, but lost it in battle against Nebuchadnezzar later (Jeremiah 46:2) Necho did not want a battle with Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:21) Necho stated that he was under order from God to attack Carchemish (substantiated in 35:22) Was Josiah being rebellious against God by going against Necho?

Josiah Josiah, in disguise, fell to Necho’s archers God likewise counted Josiah as faithful (35:26) Josiah was mourned by “all of Judah and Jerusalem” and it is clear that Jeremiah had great respect and love for this faithful king (2 Chronicles 35:24-25)

Jehoahaz Jehoahaz, Josiah’s son, became king at twenty-three, but reigned only three months He “did evil in the sight of the Lord” and was deposed by Necho (2 Kings 23:31-34) Since the Lord have used Necho at Carchemish, it is posssible that God also used him to remove Jehoahaz from power

Jehoiakim Necho placed Jehoiakim, who was as evil as his brother, in power Jehoiakim ruled eleven years in Jerusalem, then was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon Much of what happened at this time happened because of the sins of Manasseh and the innocent blood he had shed which God would not pardon (2 Kings 24:3-4)

Jehoiachin Jehoiachin was appointed king next, but there seems to be some discrepancy concerning his age 2 Kings 24:8 states that he was eighteen, but 2 Chronicles 36:9 states that he was eight Likely a transcription error in 2 Chronicles as more manuscripts state eighteen

Jehoiachin The texts of both 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles support the older age of eighteen We are told by both texts that he was evil during his short reign, which would mean that we have an evil eight year old if that were the correct age He is carried off captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and held for thirty-seven years (2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34)

Zedekiah Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah on the throne of Judah Zedekiah was the brother of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah He “did evil in the sight of the Lord” and later rebelled against the king of Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-20) Zedekiah’s rebellion was against both Nebuchadnezzar and God (2 Chronicles 36:11-14)

Zedekiah Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, and all the Israelite men of war fled by night (2 Kings 25:1-4) Zedekiah is overtaken by Nebuchadnezzar’s armies on the plains of Jericho (25:5) Zedekiah is carried off captive to Babylon where he watched the execution of his sons before his own eyes were put out (25:6-7)

Destruction God sent warnings early and often because “He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place” (2 Chronicles 36:15-16) Israel mocked the messengers of God and rejected His word God brought destruction on Israel and Judah because of their rejection of His word (2 Chronicles 36 and 2 Kings 25) Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, caused most of the destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8)

Destruction Nebuzaradan burned the house of the Lord and the king’s houses, along with all of the “houses of the great,” and they broke down the walls surrounding Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8-11) The people of the city were carried away, including defectors from Babylon Some of the poor were left to be used for vinedressers and farmers (25:11-12)

Destruction Nebuzaradan took the chief priest, second priest, doorkeepers, and the men of the city who had a special relationship with Zedekiah or were of influence The king of Babylon executed these people (25:18-21) The execution of the priests truly emphasizes the fact that the “wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36:16)